Editor, The Smithfield Times:

I’m writing today in reference to the Town Council decision to not use the interest from Luter’s money to alleviate some of the remaining burden faced by Smithfield Recreation Association.

The premise that this would be giving money to SRA is not factual. It would instead mean that the town would not continue to take as much. The initial decision circa 2018 to put SRA on the hook for $300,000 and to sell Beale Park in favor of being a preferred renter at Luter was insane and made by a small group. The community at large has been paying for that bad decision ever since to try to salvage Beale via dinners, raffles, donations and golf tournaments.  

The Town Council and Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors have voted yes on every development that has come up for vote, creating additional demand for finite resources. The local volunteer-run organization struggles to find space for the children who want to participate even with Beale in full swing. We haven’t seen anything yet, as much of what has been approved hasn’t been built and new development is suggested with frightening speed.  

SRA is the preferred renter of Luter for baseball/softball, contributing $25,000 per year on top of the $30,000 per year trying to preserve Beale. Ultimately, the council discussion transitioned to dialogue related to the skin color of the children participating. 

The town could consider taking the $25,000 rent from SRA and celebrating the volunteers trying to maintain Beale without taxpayer support, but I haven’t agreed with much of anything the council has done in years, so here’s to consistency.

 

Kara Hearn

Smithfield